NEW DELHI: Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh showered praise on Indian pacer Mohammed Shami's impressive performance after he took 5 wickets for 51 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia.
Waugh highlighted Shami's effectiveness, particularly when he bowls at a half-volley length, making him a lethal force on the field. This strategy evidently paid off on Friday as Shami was successful in taking crucial wickets.
“He hit the perfect length and that’s where he got the batsmen caught at the crease. So not too short or not too full. Just the perfect length where you get a little bit of movement. You’re going to hit the stumps still, but the batsmen can’t get a four. Shami was always threatening with that half-volley length. It’s a fine margin, but on this type of track, you need to be spot on," Waugh said in a conversation on JioCinema’s ‘Match Centre Live’.
Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar weighed in on the strategic decision facing the Indian think-tank regarding the playing XI. The question at hand is whether it will be feasible to include both Shami and Mohammed Siraj in the same lineup, considering their strong performances and abilities.
“It’s going to be an interesting match-up between the two. There’s going to be this thought process of picking wickets. You got to know the importance of picking wickets in today’s game because India managed to bowl out a strong Australian batting line-up where you’ve got a Sean Abbott batting at No 10.
So, it just tells you that when you have bowlers capable of picking up wickets, there may very well be a toss-up between a Shardul Thakur where you are thinking whether or not you are thinking of going with that all-rounder’s slot or going with an out-and-out bowler who can pick you wickets in every phase of the game," Abhishek added.
(With ANI inputs)
